A teenager accused of a school stabbing on the KZN North Coast will remain in custody at the Durban Youth Correctional Centre in Westville while court proceedings are ongoing.

The North Coast Courier reports that a Legal Aid attorney told the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court this morning (October 16) that the teenager will not apply for bail. The case has been remanded until October 30 to allow for further investigation.

The accused faces charges of housebreaking with intent to murder (upgraded from housebreaking with intent to cause grievous bodily harm), attempted murder, and trespassing.

He first appeared in court behind closed doors on Wednesday after allegedly stabbing a young girl several times at a Umhlali school.

The girl was stabbed under her right armpit, in the abdomen and in the bicep, and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Yesterday, she was reportedly stable and still in ICU.

The accused’s remand in custody comes as a relief to community members who voiced fears for their children’s safety — particularly as the accused’s identity cannot legally be revealed because he is a minor. A mother who has two children at the school said her greatest fear leading up to the court appearance was that the boy might be released.

“We can’t rely on the criminal justice system. How do we protect this community from him if he is released again?” said the mother who asked to remain anonymous.

The school’s headmaster said the school has been advised not to comment while investigations are ongoing.

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